COMIDA approves tax breaks for LiDestri, others

Fairport-based LiDestri Foods Inc. will get tax breaks of $277,000 on its $5.3 million development of a test kitchen at the Eastman Business Park.

The County of Monroe Industrial Development Agency approved the exemptions on sales and mortgage taxes at its monthly meeting Tuesday. The projected benefit to the community is $506,102, COMIDA representatives said.

The test site, or Innovation Center of Excellence, will support the company’s food, beverage and spirits businesses, officials said.

LiDestri employs 561 locally and expects to create six jobs over three years.

The private-label and contract manufacturer of food products purchased two buildings on Lee Road in Greece from Eastman Kodak Co., and has relocated operations in Yates County and New Jersey to the site as part of a $60 million investment.

COMIDA also approved incentives of $9,400 for Schuler-Haas Electric Corp., which has relocated to a 22,000-square-foot building on Commerce Drive in Henrietta and wants to spend $117,500 on equipment and renovations. The community benefit is projected to be $94,539, COMIDA said.

The company employs 63, and expects to add two jobs in three years.

COMIDA also approved sales tax exemptions of $30,000 for Simcona Electronics Corp., which plans to renovate its 30,000-square-foot facility on Mt. Read Blvd. The community benefit is pegged at $200,634, COMIDA officials said.

The $825,000 project will add four jobs in three years to the existing workforce of 39, officials said.

A fourth application, for sales and mortgage tax exemptions for a grocery at the University of Rochester’s College Town site, was pulled from the agenda.

Meliora Provision Co. Inc. wants to build out 20,000 square feet at College Town and operate a full-service supermarket. The $2.7 million project would result in 44 jobs over three years, officials said.

Meliora, owned by Deric West, operates a Ricar Supermarket in Honeoye Falls and another in Mendon.